Overview
- The WRI and University of Maryland report, released Wednesday, found 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary rainforest were lost in 2025, down from a record 2024.
- Brazil drove much of the drop as crackdowns under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cut non‑fire forest loss by about 41% to a record low.
- Fires were a major factor worldwide, accounting for 42% of tropical tree cover loss, with Canada recording its second‑worst fire year as 5.3 million hectares burned.
- Indonesia’s primary forest loss increased, with WRI estimating a 14% rise while watchdog Auriga Nusantara reports a 66% surge linked to food and energy estate projects.
- Despite the dip, countries are still about 70% above the pace needed to meet the 2030 deforestation pledge, and a likely 2026 El Niño could fuel new droughts and fires.